The use of pr-reduced media and a portable jar for the collection of anaerobic organisms for clinical sites of infection.

A system for the isolation of anaerobic organisms from clinical specimens was evaluated at the LAC-USC Medical Center. Clinicians were provided with a Gas Pak with a broth tube and two prereduced blood plates for direct inoculation of specimens. In the first 50 patients evaluated, 74 separate anaerobic isolates were recovered in 36 patients, 72 per cent of the total. Bacteroides fragilis was the most common organism recovered. The impact of this system upon clinical management is discussed.